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  He shrugs, pushing back his hood. He looks even more tired than he did when I saw him in Arizona, when he almost captured Sage and me. I feel sorry for him, for the pressure he is under, and wonder how far Shenka can push him before he breaks. Because he is due to break. No one can endure the constant control he’s been under for so many years and not come to a point where they snap.

  “Take it up with the Council Leader,” Pender says, not a trace of anger in his voice. “I’m sorry, Shenka, but I have my orders.”

  “So, lawful or not, you’ll follow them?” She snorts in his face, closing the distance between them though keeping the wall up and vibrating with magic. “How typical.” She waves in the air between them as though he offends her. “Laws are laws until the Council decides it’s time to break them.”

  He sighs, audible, as the two werewolves prod him from behind.

  “They are here,” Roman growls.

  Pender finally reacts, rage flashing over his face, though when he turns, I realize his heart isn’t in this hunt at all. “You touch me again,” he snarls in Roman’s face, “and I’ll tear your heart from your chest and make your sister eat it.”

  No one speaks. I think we’re all too shocked by Pender’s sudden reaction. I expected him to crack, but this emotional reaction is unlike him. So, he’s on our side, after all. Maybe he can be convinced to stand down if approached the right way.

  Gwendolyn clears her throat, her golden hair just catching the light of the bulb as Finlay hulks protectively behind her. “If you would allow,” she says. “A quick search will answer the question.”

  Shenka shakes her head, arms crossing over her chest. “Illegal,” she says. “The two you seek aren’t even witches, and the pair of you are out of your jurisdiction.” Finlay scowls at her, though Gwendolyn nods and ducks her head. “This domain is ruled by coven law, not werewolf. Coven law states clearly,” she jabs Pender in the chest with one finger as he turns back to face her, a big risk in my opinion, though he doesn’t react to the tiny blow, “no Enforcer may search a coven territory without the permission of the coven leader.”

  His shoulders sag slightly. “Unless the Enforcers have proof the coven leader has broken the law,” he says.

  “A coven leader who happens to be absent and can’t defend herself.” Shenka’s anger flares a moment before she regains her composure. “Fine. Where’s your proof?” She glares at him, then at Gwen and Finlay, totally ignoring the two werewolves. “I’d like to see it.”

  Pender doesn’t comment, leaving the room silent.

  “I can smell them,” Viveca snarls.

  Shenka raises one eyebrow at her, looking the werewoman up and down as though she offends the Hayle second with her very presence. “And I’m taking your word for it, why?”

  Was that a tiny quirk at the corner of Pender’s tired mouth?

  “We acted on their assurance,” he says, with more energy as he turns to them. “I was assured you had concrete proof the two fugitives were here.” He scowls, his own power crackling. Has Shenka given him a doorway he can squeeze out his sense of outrage through?

  Sassafras’s sarcasm cuts like a knife where he perches at the top of the stairs, watching with glowing eyes. “Tell us you haven’t breached coven law on the strength of this creature’s sense of smell?”

  Pender doesn’t comment. But I can tell from the set of his shoulders, the way he’s not resisting, but waiting for an answer, he is giving us a chance. Pender knows we are here, I’m certain of it. But he hates this chase as much as we do, is clearly upset by his orders. Why else would he react this way?

  A tiny thread of hope weaves its way through me. We might escape this after all.

  Viveca growls something under her breath while Roman shifts, turning and sniffing the air himself.

  “We found a car outside town,” he says, gravel over stone, almost as deep as Finlay, though rougher.

  “How interesting,” Shenka says as Sassafras trots down the stairs and joins her.

  “Indeed,” he says. “Cars are so rare around here.”

  Gwendolyn snorts a laugh, covers it with a cough while Viveca snaps her teeth at Shenka. The second reacts with magic, pushing the werewoman back and into one of the support posts.

  “Don’t ever,” Shenka says. “Ever.”

  I’m sure the two werewolves are going to attack, Roman’s fury clear all over his face. But Viveca, released from the family magic, simply links to her brother’s side. Even these two can smell the winds of change blowing against them.

  Pender turns to Shenka and bows his head. “You understand,” he says, “if the two we seek are here, you must turn them over.”

  Shenka’s shoulders lift, head high. “You are welcome to leave, now,” she says. “I advise you to do so before Syd gets home.” She glances casually at her wrist. “Any minute now.”

  Pender bows his head. “We will return with evidence,” he says.

  Shenka shrugs. “You do that.”

  The Enforcer leader turns, points at the werewolves. “You two,” he says. “Out.”

  They don’t argue, though they don’t look happy. Quaid escorts them up the stairs, turning to meet Shenka’s eyes before closing the basement door firmly behind him.

  Shenka kicks at a box, winces and shakes her foot as Sage and I emerge from the shadows, the family’s magic releasing the protective field around us. “Damn it,” she says. “They wouldn’t have tried this if Syd was home.”

  “They know she’s not?” I rub at my arms, goosebumps rising as the family magic dissipates.

  “They arrived shortly after Syd left and surrounded Wilding Springs,” Sassafras says, leaping up onto the box to groom his front paw. “Whether by design or accident, I have no idea. But Pender knows if Syd was here, she would have been screaming bloody murder long before now.”

  I nod. And wish she was here as I feel the last of the visitors leave through the family wards. Quaid’s magic reinforces the shielding at the kitchen door, the power rippling through the energy in the basement, before returning to join us. His grim expression makes me nervous all over again.

  “They’ll be back,” he says. “Pender now has solid proof Syd’s not home.”

  Shenka nods, sadness on her face. “I should be stronger,” she says.

  Quaid shakes his head as I go to her and hug her.

  “You,” I say, “are perfect.”

  “You handled them better than I would,” Quaid says. “If those two werewolves had taken one more step into the basement, I would have killed the both of them and the law be damned.”

  “We have to talk to Erica, and we can’t wait any longer.” Shenka offers her hand. When Sage tries to join us, Shenka waves him off. “You stay here with Quaid and Sass,” she says. “We don’t want to hand you over just yet, not until we know what kind of reception we get.”

  I hate to leave him behind, but I know he’s in good hands. Sage hesitates before hugging me, tight and almost desperate. It’s nice to feel his human form again, to smell his human scent and feel the softness of his skin and hair as I kiss him gently.

  “We’ll be back soon,” I say, waving to Quaid. “Thank you.”

  Syd’s husband’s smile is dark, but that’s Quaid. “Be careful.”

  Shenka’s body begins to glow with blue fire and I raise my eyebrows in curiosity.

  “Quaid’s been teaching me a few things,” she says with a wink. “Got a little tired of Syd being the only one who could travel long distance. The Enforcer trick of riding the elemental fire comes in handy at times like this.”

  I grasp her warm hand and smile. “Seems like the two of us need to have a chat,” I say. “Compare notes.”

  Shenka’s dark eyes glitter with fierce joy. “You got it. When this is over.”

  Blue flames lick at me, reminding me of Zoe Helios and I wonder if the fire she uses for her oracles follows the same rules. And then there is no time for my mind to wander or my wolf to speculate, because the
family magic flares around us and we are engulfed.

  ***

  Chapter Nine

  I gasp a breath as we flare out of the fire and into the dark Yard at Harvard.

  “Thought showing up in her office might piss off Erica,” Shenka says, looking around. “It’s late enough here hopefully no one saw us arrive.” This far into September at Harvard means the students are in session. But I also know how careful Shenka is. And right now, I couldn't care less if some freshman needs their memory wiped.

  I cross to Massachusetts Hall at Shenka’s side, the familiarity of Harvard and the green space of the Yard tugging at my emotions. I spent years here with Syd, protecting her, watching her stumble and fall, only to pull herself back up again. I missed out on her last year, the bond between us broken, and fled to Ukraine to save my family though I knew it was a trap.

  A shiver passes down my spine as we walk over the threshold into the hall and head for the elevator. Shenka’s dark expression tells me she’s in her own memories. Or, planning what she’s going to say to Erica. I should probably stop traveling my own past and focus on the present.

  The elevator groans softly as we ride it upward. The soft ding when the doors open on the Council Leader’s floor makes me wince. I realize the goal here isn’t to sneak up on Erica, but to give her a little warning so we don’t freak her out, but I’ve been tiptoeing around for what seems like forever. Giving up on cloak and dagger for the direct approach feels wrong.

  A young man with ginger hair and a face full of freckles greets us as we pass through the main door and into the dark-paneled sitting room. Syd confessed to me this place always made her feel anxious, as though the portraits of the Leaders on the walls were judging her. I have to agree, though for different reasons. My memories of this place include Maurice, Miriam’s former secretary and the thief who took Gabriel from Syd. Not to mention the years of suffering Syd endured while her mother was under the control of the Brotherhood.

  And now Erica is leader, I feel no better about this room, or the energy in it, though the red-haired witch seems amiable enough. I know him from his days as a page. It seems Phillip has moved up in the world.

  “Coven Second Hayle,” he says with a little bow for Shenka. “How can I assist you?”

  “I need to see the Council Leader,” Shenka says. “Immediately.”

  He nods, turning toward the door to the office, though his eyes seem troubled. “You do know I have to call the Enforcers?” Phillip’s gaze flickers to me and back again.

  “If you could hold off on that,” she says. “Clearing up this mess is the reason we’re here.”

  He hesitates before nodding with a smile. “I will leave it up to the Leader to decide,” he says, turning his little grin to me. “I wish you both well this evening.”

  I have no idea if we can trust him, but he feels and smells as though he’s relaxed, calm, and I sense no deceit in him. Regardless, we’re about to walk into the dragon’s den, so a few Enforcers at the door will hardly make a difference if Phillip is going to summon them.

  Shenka leads the way. I feel tense and ready for a fight as I follow her. I catch a glimpse of Erica behind her desk as I close the door, turning to stand at Shenka’s side when the Council Leader looks up. Her blonde bob shifts against her cheek, blue eyes tight around the edges, hands clenching as she sets down her pen and sits back. She doesn’t seem surprised to see us, so I know either Shenka has warned her of our arrival or Pender has updated her on his visit to the house.

  “Shenka.” Erica doesn’t bother with titles, her voice tight and angry. “I take it Syd still isn’t back?”

  To Shenka’s credit, she doesn’t flinch. “I’ve come to appeal to you, Council Leader. On behalf of two who are being falsely persecuted.”

  Erica turns to me, expression still flat and angry. “You took a big risk coming here, Charlotte,” she says. “And while I’m not unsympathetic to your plight, I have a job to do.”

  I nod. I’ve never warmed to this woman, though I know she truly cares for the coven she left, for Syd and the family. For that reason alone, I’m willing to plead my case to her.

  “I am well aware you are being pressured to turn me over to the werenation,” I say. “But the reason for my arrest is no longer an issue.”

  She raises her carefully shaped eyebrows. The act makes her look older, less like the woman I know and more like a caricature of the Leader she’s become.

  “He’s dead, then?” So callous. I would never have expected such lack of empathy from her. The coldness of her reaction makes my wolf chuff in anger.

  “Alive and well,” Shenka says. “More than well. That’s our point.” She forms a hologram out of magic, showing Erica Sage’s transformation, the feeling of him so powerful in the room it’s as though he’s here with me. That brings me comfort as Shenka goes on. “Whatever the origins of Sage America’s infection, he has not devolved into revenant darkness. Instead, he has developed into a power beyond that which the werewolves themselves possess.”

  Erica doesn’t seem impressed, waving off Shenka’s magic, though her anger seems to fade some as she sighs and presses both hands firmly down on the desktop.

  “That’s a matter for the werenation,” she says. “Not for this Council. No matter what he’s become, he must be returned to Ukraine to face the werewolves.”

  “We would like to request your support in presenting his case.” Shenka gestures to me. “If the North American Council is willing to stand with Charlotte and Sage, it could offer not only weight to his case, but go a long way to ensuring he receives a fair trial on the other end.”

  I already know what Erica is going to say before she says it. The room suddenly stinks of fear and desperation, and I wonder if she is cracking under the pressure of this office.

  “You have no idea the amount of leeway I’m giving you, just allowing you to stand here,” Erica snaps. “I am being lobbied heavily both by the werenation and the Steam Union to return the both of you to Europe immediately.” But not the European Council? That’s interesting information. Femke is staying out of it, then? Why the visit from Gwendolyn and Finlay, if so?

  “We understand that,” Shenka says in her best soothing tone while my mind chatters on, but Erica stands, shaking her head, magic crackling around her.

  “You don’t,” she says. “I’m sorry, I really am. I feel for you, Charlotte, for this mess you’re in. But you’ve dragged too many coven families—not to mention forcing a young sorcerer to defect from the Steam Union—for me to allow this to go on.” Two families, I almost correct her, covens who aren’t fans of the Council in the first place. And it was Piers’s decision to leave his mother’s oppressive rule, with no urging from me. But I allow this pathetic woman her accusations while planning, yet again, the best escape routes from the room.

  Sassafras was right to counsel caution, as I knew he would be.

  “Council Leader,” Shenka says, but Erica cuts her off.

  “The law is the law,” she says. “And while we might not agree with the rules of other cultures, we must uphold them, Shenka.” Erica’s face twists a moment, a hint of her fear showing. “There must be order or all of this,” she waves around the room, “all of what we’ve built, is for nothing.” She turns to me, hopelessness in her eyes. “I know you feel like I’m betraying you. But if you’re right, if this young man isn’t a danger to your people, I’m sure justice will prevail and he will be exonerated.”

  Except that Caine is on the throne. And will be perfectly willing to kill Sage or use him as a pawn if he is able to capture him. There is no justice waiting for me or for Sage in Ukraine. Only death.

  I shrug, refusing to give her any relief from the guilt I hope is eating her. “Thanks for nothing,” I say.

  Shenka’s sadness only shows a moment. “Very well,” she says. “Thank you for your time. We’ll be going.”

  Erica laughs, humorless and cold. “You really think I’m that stupid, to let you
two go?” Her power flares, her voice echoing as Pender’s face appears in glowing blue. “Enforcer Leader Tremere,” Erica says in a voice that crackles with power. “You will enter the Hayle house and remove the fugitive.”

  His face is flat and expressionless, voice as chilly as hers. “I have no solid proof of his presence,” Pender says. “You wish me to break coven law to conduct a search?”

  Erica’s anger surges across her whole body, though I smell the fear behind it. She is so afraid to fail, she is becoming the kind of leader the Council doesn’t need.

  “You have your orders,” she snaps. “Obey them immediately.”

  She turns on us as Pender’s image sizzles out.

  “I will have the two of you out of my territory,” she says. “And until this is resolved, Charlotte, you will not be welcome back here. If then.”

  I open my mouth to tell her exactly where she can shove herself while Enforcer magic approaches from beyond the door. We’re cornered, and I doubt highly Shenka will be able to get us out of here past all the magic wards.

  I’m sorry, Shenka sends. This is my fault. We should have gone to Femke.

  I tense, prepared to fight. And I will fight, heart aching, knowing the Enforcers are now entering Syd’s house, putting her children at risk, that they will find Sage. Erica snaps her fingers and the door opens, time slows down. I won’t be taken. I have to find a way to escape so I can make this right.

  I half-turn toward the opening door, the three tall Enforcers raising their hands toward me, glowing blue fire at the ready, just as the air beside me tears wide and a furious woman with dark hair and rainbow magic strides through.